Instant communication, we’re used to it, society demands it.  However, there was a time in the early 1800’s when sending a message from one continent to another was a risky, time consuming effort.

Then the first transatlantic cable was laid and communication across the ocean was instantaneous.  The French wanted to compete in this lucrative venture so in 1869 they laid their own cable to the island of St. Pierre and continued it down to Duxbury, Massachusetts.   The first direct cable from Brest, France to Orleans, Massachusetts was laid in 1898.  It was known as Le Direct.  The cable ended at the French Cable Station (now the French Cable Museum) where this documentary was made.

This documentary includes interviews with the descendants of the operators of the French Cable Company.  It also includes video of vintage telegraphy equipment in operation.